Flapper discharge valve for flush tanks



Dec. 25, 1956 A. B. NELSON ET AL FLAPPER DISCHARGE VALVE FOR FLUSH TANKS4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. lO, 1953 Dec. 25, 1956 A. B. NELSON ET Al.2,774,972

FLAPPER DISCHARGE VALVE FOR FLUSH TANKS Filed Deo. lO, 1953 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 25, 1956 A. B. NELSON ET AL 2,774,972

FLAPPER DISCHARGE VALVE FOR FLUSH TANKS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. l0,1953 Dec. 25, 1956 A. B. NELSON ET AL FLAPPER DISCHARGE VALVE FOR FLUSHTANKS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec.

/lll/ l umm JI- United States Patent O 2,774,912 FLAPPER DISCHARGE VALVEFon FLUSH TANKS Axel B. Nelson, Chicago, Edward G. Schmidt, La Grange,and Roy H. Zinkil, Oak Park, Ill., assignors to Crane Co., Chicago,Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application December 10, 1953, SerialNo. 397,456 6 Claims. (Cl. 4-57) This invention relates generally tovalves, and more particularly, it concerns discharge valves for llushtanks or the like.

In one of these types of valves presently known, a onepiece rubberiiapper member is employed which extends around and resilicntly gripsthe overllow tube for its positioning. To mount this member, however, itmust first be stretched over the overflow tube and then pulled orotherwise worked down the entire length thereof into operative positionat the bottom against the frictional resistance that is relied on tokeep it in position. Further, the mounting is subject to looseningbecause of deterioration, flow or loss of resiliency of the rubber,permitting the apper valve to eventually change its position, thusimpairing proper valve operation or even preventing valve closure. Thepresent invention constitutes an improvement over the above general typeof valve.

It is accordingly one of the important objectives of the invention toprovide a llush valve or the like in which the flapper member looselyslips over the overllow tube for ease of mounting or, the overflow meansmay be repositioned or eliminated entirely in other forms of theinvention.

Another important object is to provide a valve in which the flappermember is positively attached to prevent moving of the ilapper memberupwardly and out of position.

vA further object is to provide a valve in which the llapper member isalso retained and supported sidewardly in proper alignment forpredetermined closing engagement with the valve seat.

Still another object is to provide a comparatively simple button onmeans for attachment of the flapper member.

A further object is to provide a valve in which the tlapper member canbe quickly and conveniently mounted in the first instance and as easilyremoved or replaced.

A still further object is to provide a flapper type valve which issimple and dependable in operation and is relatively easy andinexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will become more apparent upon proceedingwith the specification read in light of the accompanying drawings, inwhich Fig. l is an assembly view of a preferred form of the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 is atop plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is an 'assembly view of another form of the invention shown inbroken section for convenience of illustration` Fig. 4 is a top planview of the latter form.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of a slightly different form of valve.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary assembly view of still another form of theinvention.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the latter form.

Fig. 8 is -a fragmentary view showing a different form of connection ofthe flapper member to the valve assembly.

Fig. 9 is an assembly view showing a modification of the latter form.

"ice

Fig. l0 is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. ll is a sectional assembly view of another form of the invention.

Fig. 12 is a view taken on line 11--11 of Fig. 11.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring to Figs. l and 2 of the drawings, the numeral 1 refers to theoutlet portion of a flush tank for a toilet bowl or the like, shownfragmentarily, said portion being provided with an outlet opening andincluding a seat surface around the opening at the upper or inner endthereof 'and overflow means in Huid communication with the outletopening. Although not necessary, as will be seen by referring briefly toFigs. 1l and 12, a separate member is employed through which the fluiddischarging from the tank actually ilows and which contains the seatsurface of the tank. This member may be t-he seat member in common use,as shown, modified to some extent for this invention. This membertogether with the usual overflow tube 9 connected thereto will bereferred in this application as the valve seat assembly generallydesignated 3. The latter assembly comprises a ported seat member 5actually extending through the oor of the tank and connected in fluidtight relation therewith by the usual means generally indicated at 7.The assembly also includes the overflow tube 9 as mentioned above whichis secured as by Welding or threading at the bottom to the hollow orported side extension 11 of the seat member 5 through which the tube isin lluid communication with the port or passage 13 through the seatmember. The latter port originates through the seat 15 at the top. Up tothis point, the construction of the seat member is conventional. Aseparate discharge or outlet member may of course be provided in lieu ofthe portion 6 to which the ported seat member would then be connected bysuitable means.

At the rear of the seat member or more particularly the side extension11 thereof and behind the overflow tube 9 an upwardly extending portion17 is provided which is adapted to support and position the flappervalve member 25 in a manner to be described hereinafter.

The upper part of the extending portion is preferably enlarged at 19 andformed to present the horizontally disposed surface 20. Extending beyondthis surface is a post or projection 21 terminating in a secondenlargement or button-like formation 23 spaced from the firstenlargement and preferably presenting :a downwardly directed flatsurface 24 in parallel relation with the upwardly directed surface 20.Received within the reduced portion 22 of the post or buttonintermediate enlargements 19 and 23 is a ilapper valve member 25preferably of resilient rubber or the like, although a flexible materialmay be employed. This member is recessed or apertured at 27 forprojection of the post 21 through the same and is adapted to conform tothe side walls of the post when mounted for snug reception. The memberis retained or anchored in position by engagement between the upper andlower faces or surfaces thereof with the flat surfaces 24 and20,'respectively of the extending portion or positioning means 17.

The flapper member is preferably of one-piece construction and comprisesa circular closure portion 29 for seating engagement with the valve seat15 in the closed valve condition. The closure portion includes a oatelement 31 which extends both above and below the plane of the closureportion around the same in the manner shown.

The front of the closure portion is provided with a projection 39 whichis apertured for reception of a cord or pull chain 41 connected at thetop to the usual operator (not shown) for lifting the valve member from.its seat for the opening thereof. Extending from the rea'r'of theclosure portion and preferably along each side of the overflow tube isthe attachment portion generally designated 43 and comprising 'a pair ofspaced arms 45 and 46 and a cross piece 47 at the rear thereof. Thecrosspiece is of increased width near the center and is there providedwith the recess or laperture 27 for snug reception of the post 21. fvThe apper member is easily installed or mounted in position foroperation by simply allowing the same to drop loosely along the overowtube through the open interior at 49 land slipping the recessed portion43 of the cross bar over the enlargement or button head 23 and onto thereduced portion of the post or post proper in button on fashion, theportion around the recess stretching or deforming for admission andpassage of the enlarged head! 23. The.closure member is as convenientlyand easily removed .for inspection or replacement by simply employingthe reverse process.

In operation, the flapper member is secured substantially lixedly in thedirection of swinging movement of the closure at one end in the regionof its attachment to the post 21 and against vertical movement whilebeing permitted to freely swing at the other into the open and closedpositions, the ilapper member iiexing beyond its point o-f attachment.

It should be especially noted Kfrom Figs. 1 and 2, that the positioningmeans 17 is elongated near the top including the extending post 21 andthe surfaces 2t), 24 thereof. The recess or aperture 27 of the appermember is likewise elongated to conform substantially to the reducedportion 22 of the post. This elongation is preferably normal or at rightangles to the longitudinal axis of the seat member and apper as shownand performs the very important function of preventing or reducing to aminimum any side movement or rotation of the flapper member about thepost to preserve substantial alignment for the desired seatingengagement and proper operation free from sticking. If allowed to shiftlaterally out of the preset position, not only is there a possibility ofimproper seating, but even more important, there is the likelihood ofthe closure portion canting and the oat becoming lodged or wedged withinthe port 13 of the seat thereby causing the valve to become stuck in apartially open or closed position rendering it inoperative. Thispreventive measure constitutes one of the salient features of theinvention and is not found in former valves of this type.

The present manner of mounting therefore represents a very simple andcompact means .for securing or fixing the flapper member in positioncrosswise or laterally as well as vertically for its swinging movement.

Although it is preferred to anchor or mount the flapper member above theplane of the valve seat as shown so that the same is under a somewhatstressed condition when closed to assist in the initial opening of theValve when the lever mechanism is lirst tripped, the post may extenddirectly from the seat member if desired without any appreciableelevation thereof.

This basic arrangement is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 wherein the post2l extends from the outwardly extending attened portion 53 of the seatmember, the flapper valve being anchored or positioned for swingingmovement as before between the flat surface here designated S4 at thebottom of the post and the enlargement or buttonhead 23 at the top. Inthese figures, however, the post and recess 27 of the closure member areshown as being round or circular to illustrate that this arrangement mayalso be used if desired in lieu of the elongated connection of Figs. land 2. In the present instance, other provisions are had to preventrotation or displacement of the flapper member sidewardly out ofalignment for the proper opening and closing operation. This vguidancebroadly calls for direct cooperative engagement vbetween the appermember and at least a portion of the seat assembly. In Figs. '3 and 4,the crosspiece 47 has been inwardly or forwardly extended at 57 topartially .enclose the overflow tube 9, being curved at 59 to conformwith the same. Slight clearance is provided between'the inside of theportion S7 and the overflow tube to avoid binding while still preservingthe substantial alignment desired. Other arrangements may be had, ofcourse, as for instance, guide elements may extend from each side of theseat member to -lightly contact the inside of the arms 4.5, 46 toprevent appreciable sidewise movement.

Fig. 5 shows another circular button arrangement centrally disposed asbefore, but extending horizontally and rearwardly rather than verticallyfrom the extending portion l1 of the seat member. The closure member 25has been modified accordingly to extend downwardly at 63 for buttoningover the post 21 in the same manner as explained before through therecess or aperture 64. The depending portion of the apper may bemoulded, or otherwise shaped, to conform to and engage the curved rearend of the seat member or, as shown, the inner surface may merely bepressed tightly against a somewhat flattened rearmost portion of theseat member to provide substantial lateral stability and positioning ofthe closure member to prevent rotation thereof around the point ofattachment. rThe downward formation of the flapper member at the rearand the horizontal means of attachment inherently tends to resistdislocation without special provision to this end; however, theextending formation of Fig. 4 may also be employed if desired as anadded precaution against rotation.

'ln order to use the conventional seat member as is without requiringany changes thereof, the arrangement of Figs. 6 and 7 may be employed.Here, an adapter member generally designated 69 is provided forattachment to the seat assembly through the overflow tube 9 thereof.This member is dat on the top and bottom at 7i) and '71 and is roundedat the front at 72. A recess or aperture '73 is provided near the frontso as to slip over the overflowtube relatively loosely. A set screw 75is preferably provided at the rear extending through the threadedopening i6 for securing `the adapter ring onto the overflow tube so asto prevent both vertical and rotative movement thereon.

Extending from the upper surface 70 at the rear thereof is a Verticalpost or button Iformation 21 which is shown identical to that of Figs. land 2 including the lateral or normal elongation. This structure is forexactly the same purpose as explained in connection with those iigures.The similar flapper valve 25 is mounted and positioned on the postformation in the same way and functions in the same manner during theopening and closing operations. The set screw may, of course, be locatedat the side and Vbutton formation extend from the rear rather than thetop in the manner of the Fig. 5 form, if desired, or other securingmeans such as those previously suggested may be employed with theadapter ring.

Although the posts in the various forms already disclosed have beenshown as cast or otherwise formed integrally with the seat member or theadapter ring in the case of the last form, the same may, of course, beattached by suitable means after formation or may comprise a screwthreadedly received within the seat member or adapter ring or even abolt extending through these members and the apper valve. Fig. 8illustrates the use of means extending from the seat member between thesameand the apper valve (or from an intermediate member in turnconnected to either the seat member or to the overow tube) lwhich is notintegral with the seat member or the intermediate member). In thisfigure, a simple rivet 78 is employed for this connection, being headedat 79 and 80 and extending therebetween through the rearwardly extendingportion 53 of the side extension 11 of the seat member and through theflapper valve 25..- An ,elongated element -may be used instead of theconventional.round, rivet Yto Amore positivelymretain the "closure.meinben in proper alignment laterally.

Figs. 9 and 10 show such an arrangementwherein 125 is the curved orcircular front portion of the mounting or positioning member 123 adaptedto spring or snap on over the seat member or equivalent from the frontas before. 127 and 128 are the bent out portions of the member adaptedto engage the opposite sidesof the extension 11 of the seat member at129 and 130, respectively, to prevent rotation of the mounting member.The forward portion may also be flared at the top at 132 to conform tothe configuration of the recessed portion 103 of the seat member betweenthe lip 101 and flange 102.

The bent out portions 127, 128 are turned upwardly at 135 and 136,respectively, and are preferably of somewhat enlarged section as shown,presenting flat, co-planar horizontally extending surfaces 137 and 138.Extending from each of these surfaces is a post or button formation 139of the same general configuration and functioning in the same way asthat of Fig. l, for instance, including the stern or reduced portion 140and enlargement or head portion 141. A similar apper valve member 25 isemployed to that of the last form except the opening at the bottom ofthe float has been omitted to illustrate the use of a non-perforatedlloat in the various forms and also, the spaced arms 45, 46 are eachrecessed or apertured at 145 so as to t over the buttonheads 141 andsnugly receive the reduced portions 140 of the posts for the type ofanchoring explained in connection with Fig. l. In this instance,however, there are spaced buttons or points of attachment instead of thesingle ones shown in Figs. l through ll. A plurality of round buttons orposts may be employed in the other forms either at the back or sides, ifdesired. The spaced attachment of course tends to prevent rotation andprovides for lateral positioning and alignment of the ilapper member aspointed out previously. To assist in this result, the buttons 139 in thelatter form have been shown elongated. However, to illustrate that thiselongation need not necessarily extend normal or crosswise to thelongitudinal axis of the apper member, in this instance, it is shownrunning in the direction of this axis. Although the head or buttonportions have been shown integral with the rest of the post in this andthe other forms, the same may, of course, constitute separate elementssecured to the stem portions by suitable means as by threading, forinstance.

The mounting members 123 and 97 of the present and last forms,respectively, are constructed of resilient material which may be of hardrubber, metal, or rubber coated metal for the member 123 and preferablymetal for the member 97.

It is thus seen that various forms of discharge or outlet valves forllush tanks or the like have been disclosed varying in certain more orless slight ways, all of which are improvements over the form previouslynoted in that they avoid the drawbacks and disadvantages of that formwhile at the same time incorporating ease and convenience of mountingand in the preferred forms positive assurance against rotation anddisplacement.

Although the closure member has been described as extending rearwardlyalong each side of the overilow tube, it should of course be understoodthat the same may extend in any direction or in a manner unrelated tothe overflow tube in the forms in which there is no connection to thelatter, the seat member extending where necessary for mounting of theclosure member. Or, the overflow tube may be remote from the appermember, or not even form part of the valve assembly or ported seat touse the latter term broadly, or even eliminated in these forms withoutaffecting the invention. Although the seat portion has been disclosed asbeing a separate part of the tank and merely mounted therein, it shouldbe understood that the same may, of course, be formed as an integralpart of the tank Within the term valve assembly or ported seat or seatportion broadly, or in the case of the Fig. l mounting particularly thispart of the overall valve may comprise a portion of the tank floor fromwhich an annular seating surface may rise and also 6 integral or even.bolted or threadedly attached mounting means rising or projecting from alocation (or locations for plural means) which isv spaced from theseating surface. To make such an arrangement more apparent and as anillustration only of other possibilities, attention is brielly invitedto Figs. ll and 12, wherein 15 is the raised seating surface and 17 themounting means with the other numerals the same as in Fig. l. It shouldbe noted that the overow tube or means has been located to one side andwith a connecting port or passage 161 with the port 13 through the seatand further, has been formed integrally with the tank 1 in the side wallthereof. A slightly different flapper valve or closure member 25 isprovided as is clearly shown. The overflow means may of course be theconventional tube threadedly or otherwise received in the oor of thetank between the arms 45, 46 of the flapper member or the same may beformed integrally with the tank in the same location. In this case, thesame closure member as shown in Fig. l may be used.

The general arrangement of the Figs. l1 and l2 form, however, isdefinitely preferred and even has certain advantages over the otherforms previously described.

It has long been desired in the plumbing industry to provide a flushtank in which the valve seat and overflow means are integral with thechina tank, thus eliminating the separate seat member and overflow tubeassembly. Attempts to produce such a construction, however, have notproved very satisfactory, because of the inevitable warpage anddistortion that takes place in china during firing. The seat surface hasinvariably been out of shape, requiring an extensive grinding operationto form a properly centered, chamfered seating surface which is of truecircular vform for the inside circular seating of the conventional typedischarge valve employed. This operation is slow and expensive toperform and increases the cost of the construction so much as to defeatits purpose to etfect a savings over the use of the separate seat memberand overflow tube assembly. Moreover, rejects run especially high onthis form because of the failure to get a satisfactory seating surfacedue to the warpage and distortion which may be so bad as to make anygrinding operation futile at all. Because of these difficulties andincreased costs, more than limited use of the integral seat and overowmeans has not been enjoyed to date.

Now for the rst time, an integral china seat and overllow means may beused to advantage when employed in conjunction with the presentinvention with a definite savings in cost over the use of the separateseat member and overow tube. This is because first of all the ilappervalve member of the invention is mounted independently of the overflowtube and does not even depend on the seat member for mounting which canbe dispensed with along with the separate overflow tube. In this case,the seat portion and attachment or mounting means for the closure canrise from the lioor of the tank or more particularly the outlet portionthereof and be integral therewith or, the attachment means can be aseparate piece rising from and connected to the tank floornon-rotatively therewith. The seating surface, of course, need not beelevated above the oor of the tank, but may oe the upper surface of thetank iloor adjacent the outlet opening therethrough. Secondly, anintegral seat in whatever form desired can be employed in the presentinstance because warping and distortion of the outlet opening whichanyone in the china industry knows cannot be avoided does not make anydifference in the present valve, because the flapper type closure liesover the top of the seat rather than seating within the outlet or thechamfered portion as in the case of the conventional type valve.Further, the apper member possesses extreme flexibility because of thewidely spaced slender arms and the nature of the material used whichallows the apper to compensate for any unevenness of the top orinclination of the closure plane. By virtue of this llexibility incombination with the top seating, the seat portion can be used as iswithout eitherfrejects -or modifications as -by grinding.Elongation;.orout-of-roundness. of the .seat opening due. to tiring istherefore of no moment in the presenty valve. 1 Thev seat opening istherefore no longer .critical in the slightest and the economies andbenefits of the, integral ceramic seat and overilow means originallyenvisioned can at last be achieved and realized. Not the least of thesebeneiits is the elimination of the corrosion problem ofthe metallicoverow tube and seat member whichis quite troublesome-under manyconditions of service.

Although a apper type closure has been referred to throughout thisapplication, it is not desired to limit the various mountingarrangements ofthe invention. necessarily to a flat seating closure, theinvention rather being limitedbythe termsr` of the appended claims.

While specific forms and modifications have been illustratedand noted,the present invention shouldv not be limited to these or the details Vofthe same solely, but the appended claims should be construed so as toinclude yet other forms and details falling within the broad spirit ofthe invention and read only in the light of the specification anddrawings.

We claim:

1. In combination with a ush tank or the like having anoutlet portionprovided with an outlet opening, the latter portion including a seatsurface around the opening at the upper end thereof and overow means inlluid communication with the outlet opening, a valve closure engageablewith the seat surface in the closed valve position, said valve closureincluding extending means, means for attaching said valve closure tosaid outlet portion of the tank for swinging movement into the open andclosed positions, said attachment means comprising post means projectingthrough said extending means of the closure, said post means extendingsubstantially in the plane of the swinging movement of the closure, saidextending means being flexible in the direction of the swinging movementof the closure and being apertured for the projection of the post meanstherethrough, said post means being provided with enlarged meansextending partly over and retaining said extending means of the closurethereon when the closure is in attached relation, said extending meansbeing of elastic material distortable over the enlarged means and ontothe post means therebeyond for effecting the attachment of the valveclosure.

2. ln combination with a flush tank or the like having an outlet portionprovided with an outlet opening, the latter portion including a seatsurface around the opening at the upper end thereof and overflow meansin iiuid cornmunication with the outlet opening, a valve closureengageable with the seat surface in the closed valve position, saidvalve closure including extending means, means for attaching said valveclosure to said outlet portion of the tank for swinging movement intothe open and closed positions, said attachment means including surfacemeans and post means projecting therefrom, said post means extendingsubstantially in the plane of the swinging movement of the closure, saidextending means being flexible in the direction of the swinging movementof the closure and being apertured for reception by the post means, saidpost means being provided with enlarged means extending partly over andretaining said extending means of the closure in relatively snugengagement between the same and the aforesaid surface means of theattachment means securing part of the extending means substantiallytixedlyA in the direction of the swinging movement without appreciablemovement in this direction, saidY extending means being of elasticmaterial distortable over said enlarged means and onto the post meanstherebeyond for attachment of the valve closure.

3. 1n combination with a water closet flush tank or the like having anoutlet portion provided with an outlet opening, the latter portionincluding a seat surface around the opening at the upper end thereof andoverow means in vluid communication with the outlet opening, a closuremember adapted to overlie the seat surface in substantially at seatingengagementitherewith in the closed valve position, means forVselectively moving the closure member from the closed position, saidclosure member having extending means, means attaching said closuremember to said outlet portion of the tank for swinging movement into theopen and closed positions, said attachment means cornprising upwardlyextending post means having enlarged means at an elevated leveltherealong, said extending means of the closure-member being iiexible inthe direction of the swinging movement of the closure and beingapertured for reception by the post means, said extendin means being ofelastic material distortable over said enlarged means and onto said postmeans therebelow for the attachment of the closure member.

4. The subject matter of claim 1, said post means being elongated intransverse section and the extending means of the valve closure beingcorrespondingly apertured whereby to substantially prevent any sidewisepivotal rotation of the closure about its attachment in a directionnormal to the swinging movement of the closure.

5. The subject matter of claim 1, said post means being a single post ofelongated transverse section and the enlarged means being a transverselyelongated enlargement of the post means whereby to prevent anysubstantial sidewise pivotal movement of the closure about its point ofattachment on the post in a direction normal to the swinging movement ofthe closure and to retain the said closure on the elongated post in thenormal course of swinging movement of the closure respectively, theextending means of the closure having an elongated aperture forattachment thereof and shaped for relatively snug engagement around thesaid elongated post subsequent to the insertion and distortion of theextending means over the said enlargement of the post.

6. The subject matter of clairn 3, said attachment means rising directlyfrom the oor of the flush tank.

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